January 22, 2011

Thank you so much for all of the fantastic tip ideas you've shared with me. I've already thought of several ways to incorporate your ideas into my blog. Are you ready to see who won? Random.org chose #9 as the winner of the blog candy and that is Tammy Jackson! She wrote...

First of all, I LOVE your blog and you always inspire me. I could really use some ORGANIZATION tips. Thank you so much for all your inspiration.

January 14, 2011

When I first started blogging a couple of years ago, I wasn't sure if it would take off or how many people would stop by to visit me. I'm blown away that I've had over 1.1 MILLION hits on my blog! Thank you so much for supporting me and encouraging me in my stamping. I think it's time to celebrate, don't you? How about some blog candy!

I'm giving away a new, unmounted Word by Word stamp set (use it as a background stamp or cut it apart for over 20 different sentiments), Love and Happiness Rub Ons (all designs in four different colors), an assortment of 6 x 6 designer series paper, a couple of yards of ribbon, and some pre-cut, pre-scored gift card holders ready for you to assemble and stamp.

In order to win these goodies, I need some input from you. I'm thinking of regularly posting "stamping tips" on blog--anything from stamping to organizing supplies to assembling 3-D projects. If it has to do with stamping in any way, I'll cover it. To win these goodies, I'd like you to leave me a comment telling me what kind of tips you'd like me to post. Do you want to know how I do a certain technique? Do you want to know how I organize my stamps? What would you like to know? Just let me know.

Here are the rules.

One entry per person

Please leave a comment on this post letting me know what types of stamping tips you'd like to see me cover

Have your entry submitted by midnight on Friday, January 21st so I can post the winner on Saturday the 22nd.

October 11, 2008

The two winners of the blog candy are Cula Parker who shared a recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and Kadie Labadie who shared a recipe for Chocolate Bliss Cheesecake.

Congratulations Cula and Kadie! Please email your address (DannieGrvs@hotmail.com) and I'll get your goodies in the mail to you.

I also wanted to thank all of you who submitted recipes. You should take a look through all of the recipes (you can see them here) and give them a try. I can already feel myself gaining some holiday pounds. I can't wait to try these recipes! ~Dannie

October 10, 2008

First, you have until midnight tonight (PST) to enter my drawing for blog candy. Since there are so many entries, I'll be picking TWO winners and announcing those tomorrow.

Second, tomorrow's the last day to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for only $99! You can choose from three different Starter Kits* with three different focuses, depending on your interests--and each one is only $99.Stamp-Focused Starter Kit

*Each kit also includes the same business supplies that are found in the standard Starter Kit (the Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit also includes 25 Décor Elements brochures). While all items in the Starter Kits are recommended, you may substitute a like item of equal or lesser value.

If you want even more product, select our standard $199 Starter Kit during this promotion and get a stamp set of your choice from the catalog for free--up to a $41.95 value!

October 02, 2008

Today marks the one year anniversary of my blog! I've had so much fun blogging. You leave the sweetest comments that really help brighten my day. I've also made so many friends through my blog. It has been an amazing journey. Thank you for being a part of it.

What would an anniversary be without a gift for one of my readers? If I get enough entries, I might even pick a second winner. I'm sure I can find some more goodies in my stamp room to give away.

new, unmounted "For a Friend" stamp set

6" x 6" designer series paper pack (60 sheets total)

Love and Happiness Rub-ons

Two packs of fancy fibers (Tiffany and Scarlet) ~ 10 yards each

8 Pretty in Pink pocket notes and envelopes

To enter to win this blog candy, simply leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite holiday recipe. I love to bake this time of year so I'd love to see any of your favorite cookie, candy, or dessert recipes. You can share a healthy recipe or a "put on ten holiday pounds" type recipe. I'll leave this open until midnight on Friday, October 10th. I'll announce the winner(s) on Saturday the 11th.

I'm off to go clean the kitchen so I can bake some pumpkin pies tonight. I bought some baking pumpkins (I think they're called sugar pie pumpkins--they're different from the pumpkins you buy to make jack-o-lanterns) from a pumpkin patch here in town. I've already cut, cooked, and pureed the pumpkins so they're ready to be made into pie. They taste so much better than pumpkin pack from a can. They're divine!

Thanks for making this one year of blogging such a fun adventure! ~Dannie

August 15, 2008

Today has been a very busy day. School starts on Tuesday and I had to finish the last of my school shopping. Every time I think about school shopping, I'm reminded of a hilarious commercial I saw a few years ago. The commercial takes place in an office supply store where parents are doing their back to school shopping. One mom is dancing with her shopping cart down the aisle with a huge grin on her face. One of the dads is riding his shopping cart--both of his feet are on the bottom part of the cart, his hands are clutching the shopping cart handle, and he's sailing down the aisle just as happy as can be. The entire time it's showing these happy parents, the commercial is playing the lyrics to a Christmas song..."it's the most wonderful time of the year." I still laugh about that to this day every time I think about it. After almost three months of hearing my children fight all day, I'm ready for school to start again. I love them all to pieces, but I need a break.

Do you want to know who won the drawing for sending cards to my brother? There were three winners and they are:

Pat M. from Elmhurst, NY

Barbara J. from Snoqualmie, WA

Andrea F. from North Hudson, WI

Since all three of you mailed cards to me, I already have your addresses so the goodies are already on their way to you. Thank you again to all of you who participated. Here are some more pictures of cards that were sent.

July 22, 2008

Would you like the chance to win some *free* stamp products just for sending me a hand-stamped card or letter? Read this post to find out how. This post will stay at the top of my blog until August 8th, so scroll down to see the most recent post. Thanks! ~Dannie

July 21, 2008

Would you like the chance to win some *free* stamp products just for sending me a hand-stamped card or letter? Here's what you need to do...

As you may know, my brother Daniel (yes, we practically have the same name) is currently serving his third deployment in Afghanistan. He has been to Iraq twice and this is his first time in Afghanistan. He loves being a Marine and knows he's where he's supposed to be.

This deployment, however, has been a lot harder on him emotionally. Next month (at the end of August) is his birthday and I would love to help cheer him up.

Here's where I need your help. I would love to mail him a box full of cards and letters--birthday cards, patriotic cards, thinking of you cards, etc. I'm not talking about blank cards that my brother can fill out and mail back home. I'm talking about uplifting cards and letters written to my brother wishing him a happy birthday, thanking him for serving our country, etc.

Please mail your card or letter to: Dannie Graves

Deadline: Saturday, August 9th so I can mail the package in time for his birthday A chance to win: I will randomly select three cards or letters and the winners will receive some stamp products from me.

Edited to add answers to questions:

Can I use non-Stampin' Up! stamps. Absolutely! The whole purpose of the cards is to send some happiness and cheer to my brother. So please use whatever stamps you'd like.

Is it alright to send a letter instead of a card? Absolutely! I want my brother to feel appreciated and know that people back home are thinking of him. It won't matter to him if that comes in the form a letter or a card.

Will I be opening the cards or just sending the envelopes sealed to my brother? I thought about this one and I decided to open all of the cards and letters. I'm glad that I did this because some of you are tucking in little notes or cards for me too. Thank you! If you would like for your card to be in a nice envelope for my brother, some people are putting their card in a double envelope like you would for a wedding invitation. Those that don't have a double envelope, don't worry. I'll put your cards in nice envelope for him.

Why am I opening the cards? I don't feel comfortable sending items to a US military base without knowing what the contents are.

Please spread the word to your friends and have them join in too. I know this will really lift his spirits. Thank you! ~Dannie

May 27, 2008

Have I kept you waiting long enough to see if you've won the blog candy? The winner is.....

#12 Lynda Emerson who shared a yummy recipe for Chinese Chicken Salad. Lynda, email me (DannieGrvs@hotmail.com) your address and I'll get these goodies in the mail to you.

I wanted to thank all of you for the wonderful recipes you shared. I can't wait to try them. If you haven't taken a look already, click over to this post and look at all of the recipes. It will make you hungry just reading through them. There are enough recipes in there for over 3 months worth of dinner.

It has been a while since I've made a 3D project so I thought I'd make one today. Last week's Try a New Technique challenge on SplitCoast was to make a Double Pocket Bag (click here to see the tutorial).

I like the way it turned out, but I wanted the stripes to be vertical. What I should have done is started in step one of the tutorial with the striped side of my designer series paper facing down with the stripes going side to side. Then it would have turned out the way I wanted it to. I still like it though.

I used my corner rounder to scallop both sides of the Old Olive cardstock. I added a layer of Bashful Blue cardstock on top and added two rows of paper piercing. I also pierced holes in each of the scallops. I finished the front panel with some Old Olive Wide Grosgrain, several of the Die-cut Blooms from the Occasions Mini Catalog, and a red Rhinestone Brad.

I used my Crop-a-dial, Jumbo Eyelets, and Old Olive Wide Grosgrain ribbon for the handles. I'm going to make some coordinating 3x3 cards to tuck inside the bag to give as a gift.

May 22, 2008

Some time this evening one of you will be my 200,000th hit on my blog! I can't believe it. Thank you for visiting me and leaving the kindest comments. I have met some wonderful people through this blog. As my way of thanking you, I've got some blog candy!

What's included? A set of Love and Happiness Rub-ons, A Little Bit of Happiness stamp set, four accent and elements sheets, a package of red hemp twine, and an assortment of four different ribbons.

How do you enter? Simply leave a comment on this post sharing a quick and easy dinner recipe with me. I struggle with what to make for dinner each night and I'd love to try some new ideas.

One entry per person please. I'll leave this open through midnight (Pacific time) on Monday, May 26th. I'll randomly select a winner and post their name on Tuesday.

As an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator, the content of this blog is my sole responsibility. The use of and content of the classes, services, or products offered on this blog are not endorsed by Stampin' Up!